Press Release

Curious about the difference between annulment and declaration of nullity of marriage? 🤔 Atty. Jeanne Luz Castillo Anarna answers! #ARBLaw 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴.

Day 1 of the 2025 Bar Exams is done! Wishing all future lawyers the best of luck and may your perseverance and dedication guide you to success! #ARBLaw

Did you know? Under Article 854 of the Civil Code, preterition happens when compulsory heirs in the direct line are left out of a will—either by not being mentioned at all, or by being mentioned but not named as heirs nor expressly disinherited. Learn more about its implications on succession law here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab48&title=Preterition

Living together without marriage? 🏠 The Family Code sets rules on how property is governed, depending on whether couples are capacitated or incapacitated to marry each other. Learn more by reading the full article here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab47&title=Property+Regimes+of+Union+Without+Marriage+%28Article+147+and+148%29

Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of our national heroes. We honor those who fought earnestly for our freedom and those who continue to serve our nation in their own ways. 🇵🇭 May their courage inspire us to uphold justice, integrity, and service to others. Happy National Heroes Day! #ARBLaw

In a press release published by the Supreme Court Public Information Office last August 8, 2025, the Supreme Court has clarified that when an arbitration clause is not strictly worded, it gives the parties the option – but not the obligation – to settle disputes through arbitration. They may still choose to bring their case to court. In a Decision written by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, the SC’s Third Division upheld the validity of the agreement between the government – through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Poro Point Management Corporation – and Bulk Handler’s Inc. and Poro Point Industrial Corporation (corporations) for the development of a special economic and freeport zone in San Fernando, La Union. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-court-action-still-possible-even-with-arbitration-clause-in-contract/

In a press release published by the Supreme Court (SC) on August 4, 2025, the SC has clarified that businesses registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are not completely exempt from paying Value-Added Tax (VAT). In a Decision written by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, the SC’s Third Division partially granted Coral Bay Nickel Corporation’s (Coral Bay) claim for a VAT refund. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-peza-registered-companies-not-fully-exempt-from-vat/

“𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤.” — 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧 Justice gives purpose to bravery. Let’s stand for what is right. #ARBLaw

In a press release published by the Supreme Court (SC) on July 28, 2025, the SC has affirmed the authority of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) to execute the terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in cases involving unfair labor practices (ULP). In a Decision written by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, the SC’s Third Division upheld the NLRC’s order directing Guagua National Colleges (GNC) to pay its employees the agreed economic benefits, but adjusted how those benefits were computed. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-nlrc-may-enforce-collective-bargaining-terms-in-unfair-labor-practice-cases/

The Writ of Habeas Corpus protects against unlawful detention. It allows the court to review whether a person’s restraint is legal. Learn more by reading the full article here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab46&title=Writ+of+Habeus+Corpus+%28Rule+102%29

Want to become a Filipino citizen? 🇵🇭 Naturalization is one legal path, but it’s not as simple as staying in the country. Learn the qualifications, process, and strict requirements under Philippine law, including what can make or break your petition. Read the full article here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab45&title=How+to+Acquire+Philippine+Citizenship+through+Naturalization

In a press release published on March 3, 2025, the Supreme Court (SC) reiterated that in forcible entry cases, the key issue is who had prior physical possession of the property – not ownership. In a Decision written by Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, the SC’s First Division ordered respondents Ernie “Toto” Castillo et al. to vacate a parcel of land in Barangay Matina, Davao City (Lot 1957), after finding that they had forcibly entered the property. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-prior-possession-not-ownership-matters-in-forcible-entry-cases/

In a press release published last July 7, 2025, the Supreme Court (SC) has recognized that a sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotions, triggered by years of abuse from the accused’s father, qualifies as passion or obfuscation – a mitigating circumstance that can reduce the penalty for parricide. In a Decision written by Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, the SC’s First Division upheld the conviction of accused Leopoldo Singcol’s (Singcol) for killing his father, but lowered the penalty due to the presence of this mitigating factor. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-recognizes-long-term-abuse-as-mitigating-factor-in-parricide-case/

Can electronic files be used as evidence? Under the Rules on Electronic Evidence, documents like emails, texts, and screenshots can be admissible in court. Learn more by reading the full article here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab44&title=Rules+on+Electronic+Evidence

Need to update your company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws? You can now do it digitally through the SEC’s eAMEND portal, as outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 3-2024. This streamlines the amendment process and reduces the need for hard copy submissions. 📌 Learn more about it here by reading the full article: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab43&title=How+to+Amend+Articles+of+Incorporation+and+By-Laws+using+SEC+eAMEND%3F

Can a public official hold more than one government position? The 1987 Constitution generally says no—especially for the President, VP, Cabinet Members, and their deputies. But like many rules, there are exceptions. 🔗 Learn more about this by reading the full article here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab42&title=Constitutional+Prohibition+Against+Dual%2FMultiple+Offices

Can an unmarried teacher be suspended for getting pregnant? In a SC Decision penned by Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, the Court clarified that premarital pregnancy is not a valid ground for suspension or dismissal. The act of consensual relations between two adults with no legal impediment to marry is not considered immoral under the law. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab41&title=Pregnancy+of+Unmarried+Teacher+Cannot+Be+a+Valid+Ground+for+Suspension

Can a nonmarital child inherit from their grandparents? Under Article 992 of the Civil Code, illegitimate children are barred from inheriting intestate from the legitimate relatives of their parents—and vice versa. This is known as the “iron curtain rule,” a legal barrier in succession between legitimate and illegitimate families. However, in the landmark ruling in Aquino v. Aquino, the SC held that non-marital children are qualified to inherit from their grandparents by their right of representation by representing their deceased parent to succeed their grandparents’ estate 🔗 Read more about this here: https://arblaw.ph/article?tab=tab40&title=Nonmarital+Child+Inheriting+from+Grandparents

In a press release last June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that a land sale made through a verbal, unwritten agreement can be considered valid and binding—as long as it has been partly or fully carried out. In a Decision written by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, the SC’s Third Division upheld the verbal sale of land between Marcos Batara (Batara) and his nephew Benedicto Ocampo (Ocampo). Even without a written contract, the SC found the sale valid because Ocampo had already received the land title, moved into the property, and made improvements on it. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-upholds-validity-of-unwritten-sale-of-land/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLTDtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCM0VoVUJIaHp1bVBWaEpaAR6OOHKO51S8RLwqJlyrhp2fJidJyf2mGEoSg6ZPfjlkCsr5IJSmKJlhcYJCPQ_aem_Egetqpdla29bKNNXCKSy2Q

This quote from James Keenan reminds us that true justice calls for inclusivity, listening, and acting for the common good, especially for those whose voices often go unheard. Let us continue striving for a society where fairness is not only legal, but moral and compassionate. What are your thoughts on this quote? 🤔 #ARBLaw

🤔 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕? 𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕! WATCH: ARB Law Firm’s Managing Partner, Atty. Jeanne Luz Castillo Anarna appeared on the morning show, Kada Umaga, to shed light on the legal bases for house and hospital arrests. In the said interview, Atty. Anarna highlights specific legal provisions that allow accused individuals to file motions for these special forms of detention under certain circumstances. 📺 Want to learn more? Watch the full interview here: 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/KUAttyJeanne0627 For legal inquiries, contact us at 📧 info@arblaw.ph or ☎️ (02) 8296 0290.

In a press release posted last April 30, 2025, the Supreme Court (SC) reaffirmed that testimonies from a spouse’s family and friends can help prove psychological incapacity in cases seeking to nullify a marriage. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-family-and-friends-testimonies-can-prove-psychological-incapacity-in-nullity-of-marriage-cases/

The Supreme Court published a press release on May 2, 2025, reiterating that while notarized documents are presumed authentic, they will be invalidated if proven to be fake. 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. Read the Supreme Court's full press release here: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/sc-forged-documents-still-void-even-if-notarized/

This quote from John Lewis reminds us that change begins with courage—the courage to speak up, to stand firm, and to act when faced with injustice. What are your thoughts on this quote?

The law is not just a set of rules—it’s a living commitment to justice. As Earl Warren reminds us, it’s the spirit behind the law that truly gives it meaning. What are your thoughts on this quote? #ARBLaw